WASHINGTON (AP) —The Pentagon’s official count of deaths among U.S. military personnel that have occurred in the Middle East since the start of the Iran war has risen to 21, but officials said the new total does not reflect more combat deaths.
The Defense Casualty Analysis System on Saturday reflected two more deaths, which a Defense Department official said occurred earlier in the war.
The official said the department is trying to make the count more comprehensive and include all troop deaths in the region, not just those from combat. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Added to the count was Maj. Sorrfly Davius, a New York Police Department officer who was serving with the 42nd Infantry Division of the Army National Guard in Kuwait. He died due to a medical incident days into the war on March 6. The other person was not named.
Tens of thousands of U.S. troops are stationed in the Middle East. Deaths can occur because of medical conditions, training mishaps and suicide.